Is A level geography similar to GCSE?
Are you a student considering taking A level geography in college? If you are, you might be wondering how similar the A level is to GCSE geography. Many people can find it difficult to choose their A levels due to the unknown. However, if you want to find out more in this area, read on for more information.
How A level and GCSE geography are similar
The types of things you’ll learn will be similar in GCSE and A level geography. Students often enjoy the scope of learning that they cover in geography, ranging from human geography, physical geography, and fieldwork investigations. Students usually do coursework for both GCSE and A level geography, enjoying doing fieldwork or research in certain populations.
Both A level and GCSE geography give its students respectable and facilitating qualifications. Both allow students to go on to further study if they get good grades since geography is a recognised subject. They can both give you certain skills that might boost your chances of employment. These skills include cartographic skills, communication skills (written and verbal), computer skills, and analytical skills. You can develop these desired skills throughout both GCSE and A level geography.
How A level and GCSE geography differ
It’s no secret that as with any A level, geography A level is a lot harder than GCSE geography. Many students are shocked by the step-up they face in college from GCSE level. Whilst the type of material might be similar, its complexity increases rapidly at A level. This means concepts and exam questions might be more difficult to understand. Students will find it harder to get the top grade at A level compared to GCSE level. Fewer students will hit the As and A*s, and it is more difficult to get marks, especially on essay-based questions. Students will also face a different workload at GCSE to A level. A level gives a much heavier workload, pushing many students to their limits.
Students often have to work much harder in geography A level than geography GCSE. With more content to learn, they need to revise more for the A level exams and so an online geography tutor would be useful. Any A level like this can be difficult, especially when you have to study it alongside two other A levels. This is why it’s rare that students choose to do four or five A levels: there’s just too much work!
Therefore, A level geography is much more demanding than GCSE geography. This is both in the complexity of content and how much content the students are expected to learn. It is, therefore, no surprise that A level geography is also a more respected qualification than GCSE geography. Many employers and all universities won’t accept you if you only have GCSEs and not A levels. Therefore, having A level geography will put you in a better position for academic success than GCSE geography.
So, whilst GCSE and A level geography will cover similar content, A level geography will go into more depth. This means that it will be more challenging and demanding, but also more respected.
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